Mother's job: HRH Princess Royal... the only hint of pomp on Zara's VERY down to earth wedding certificate

By Siobhan Mcfadyen and Katie Nicholl


They wanted a low-key wedding with as little pomp as possible – but the certificate confirming the marriage of Michael James Tindall and Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips carries one hint of a Royal seal of approval.

For clearly marked on the certificate, shown here for the first time, is the bride’s mother’s ‘occupation’: HRH The Princess Royal.

It is the only clue to the bride’s family connection in an otherwise very down-to-earth wedding certificate.

Down to earth: Zara and Michael were determined that their wedding be as low-key as possible


In a breach of Royal protocol, the couple, who married at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh last Saturday, had their marriage witnessed by just one parent – Princess Anne – and Tindall’s best man, Iain Balshaw.

Captain Mark Phillips walked his 30-year-old daughter up the aisle, but Zara, who listed her profession as ‘equestrian’ on the certificate, asked her mother to be her sole witness.

Zara has no Royal title and has opted to keep her own family name.

Subtle: The only hint of Zara's Royal position was the bride mother's 'occupation': HRH The Princess Royal


Rugby captain Tindall, 32, described his occupation as ‘professional rugby player’.
The groom’s father, Phillip, is described on the certificate as an ‘area sector bank manager (retired)’ while his mother Linda is listed as a ‘family court adviser’. The profession of the bride’s father is described as ‘equestrian consultant’.

The informality was in stark contrast to the tone of the paperwork marking the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who asked every member of their immediate families to sign the marriage register.

In another contrast, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Zara’s wedding dress cost £3,200, a fraction of the cost of Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown, which was reported to have cost £250,000.

Zara’s decision to choose the Queen’s favourite designer, Stewart Parvin, came about after a visit to a Gloucestershire bridal boutique called The White Room.

‘The dress was Zara’s decision entirely,’ said the store’s co-owner, Rachel Partridge. ‘I initially contacted Zara’s personal secretary when I found out she had become engaged.

‘I called to offer our services, but I had no idea that we would eventually be picked to work with her.’

A Royal Affair: Though a stark contrast to William and Kate's wedding, the event boasted a similarly exclusive guest list


source:dailymail